Current and Projected Distributions of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus in Canada and the U.S.

Plain language summary

Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are mosquito vectors of more than 22 arboviruses that infect humans. Our objective was to develop regional ecological niche models for Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in the conterminous United States and Canada with current observed and simulated climate and land-use data using boosted regression trees (BRTs). We used BRTs to assess climatic suitability for Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in Canada and the United States under current and future projected climates. Models for both species were mostly influenced by minimum daily temperature and demonstrated high accuracy for predicting their geographic ranges under the current climate. The northward range expansion of suitable niches for both species was projected under future climate models. Much of the United States and parts of southern Canada are projected to be suitable for both species by 2100, with Ae. albopictus projected to expand its range north earlier this century and further north than Ae. aegypti. Our projections suggest that the suitable ecological niche for Aedes will expand with climate change in Canada and the United States, thus increasing the risk of Aedes-transmitted arboviruses. Increased surveillance for these vectors and the pathogens they carry would be prudent.

Subject

• Health

Keywords

• Aedes,
• Climate Change,
• Mosquito Vectors,
• Ecosystem,
• Temperature

Peer review

Yes

Citation(s)

Khan SU, Ogden NH, Fazil AA, Gachon PH, Dueymes GU, Greer AL, Ng V. Current and Projected Distributions of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus in Canada and the U.S. Environ Health Perspect. 2020 May;128(5):57007. doi: 10.1289/EHP5899. Epub 2020 May 22. .